A 10-Win Season

This one is perhaps a bit more bold, and is likely the one I feel the least secure about. A double-digit win season would require a tough win or two over teams like Minnesota, Baltimore, or Green Bay; short of that, they would have to sweep divisional games against Tennessee or Houston to realistically have a shot at 10 wins.

However, a weaker slate of games early in the season could have the Colts gaining some fast momentum. After opening the season against Jacksonville, Weeks 3 through 6 feature games against the Jets, Bears, Browns, and Bengals; Indianapolis should be looking to leave that stretch with no fewer than three wins, and getting off to such a strong start could set them up for big wins against tougher teams in the middle of the season.

Coincidentally, that is when it gets rough. Following a toss-up game against Detroit following the Colts’ Week 8 bye, they’ll face Baltimore at home, Tennessee twice, Green Bay at home, and Houston on the road. They can’t survive anything like last season’s 1-5 finish if they have any hope of returning to the postseason. The final four games are mixed bag, with games against an improved Raiders squad, Houston again, and Pittsburgh and Jacksonville to end the year.

The key to consistency will be those mid-season Tennessee games and the Colt’s performance against the Titans’ stalwart run game; Derrick Henry thrashed the Colts’ defensive front with 231 yards and two touchdowns in their two contests last season. If their healthy and improved defensive line can limit Henry’s effectiveness twice in three weeks, they’ll be heading home with two wins and a good chance at the division title.